Wade Says Australia Days Are Done

06 February 2018

Andrew Ramsay

When the current Australian cricket summer kicked off in late September last year, Matthew Wade was the incumbent wicketkeeper in two formats of the international game with a realistic expectation of earning the role in the nation's T20 outfit.

Come the first day of February 2018, Wade was not even wearing the gloves for his Hobart Hurricanes KFC Big Bash League franchise and could be found in the final overs of their Semi-Final against the Perth Scorchers patrolling the outfield at deep square leg.

And while the 30-year-old finished that game in triumph - as Player Of The Match for his 71 off 45 balls, that did much to lift the Hurricanes into the tournament Final - he also found himself reflecting on an international career he believes has passed.

Wade's berth in Australia's Test and ODI teams has been filled this summer by his Tasmanian and Hurricanes teammate Tim Paine, who was the preferred keeper when Hobart's starting XI was unveiled for the Semi-Final at Perth's new Optus Stadium.

WATCH: Wade shines in the west

His place in the T20 team, which Paine held during Australia's most recent 20-over internationals against India late last year, now rests with exciting young Adelaide Strikers opener Alex Carey who also filled in for an ODI when Paine was rendered unwell last month.

So having been effectively 'axed' from three Australia teams in the course of a solitary season, Wade has publicly acknowledged that another recall (after he was summoned from a three-year Test exile in 2016) is about as likely as him being picked as a specialist bowler.

Even though he does quite fancy the quality of the medium pacers and leg breaks that he regularly peddles in the practice nets.

"When you get dropped from all formats, in summer, I would be surprised if they (national selectors) go back to me," Wade said in the aftermath of the Hurricanes' stunning 71-run win over the BBL|07 title favourites.

"I am disappointed that I didn't get picked in the one-dayers but that's just what it is, and my international career is probably a long way away from coming back.

"Alex Carey is playing good cricket, I would assume he would be the next option for Australia in the short format.

"But I am comfortable with that.

"I understand that, it is a reality for me."

But Wade, who was recalled to the Test team in the wake of last summer's disastrous home series loss to South Africa because he brought such a combative and voluble presence, concedes that realisation did not come quickly or easily.

The Tasmanian, who renounced the captaincy of Victoria - that he had held since 2013 - when he opted to return to the island of his birth last year, claimed at the time of his omission from Australia's Test team for the Magellan Ashes Series that he had copped it on the chin.

But it was only when he felt the second hit from that combination blow and was overlooked for the Gillette ODI Series that followed the Ashes, that he was able to take a step back and re-assess where he stood in the selectors' eyes.

And it was at that point he understood how heavily the pressure of forcing his way back into a national team had been weighing upon him.

"Once it was all over I probably relaxed and chilled out, and my performances probably got better from that," he said.

"I did not feel like it was taking a toll at the time, but once it was done, I was a lot more relaxed and a lot calmer.

"I am comfortable with that, I got an opportunity to play a lot for Australia and I am thankful I did get that opportunity.

"Now it is just about enjoying my cricket for the next three, four, five years hopefully."